Bella Vista, Ark.: The funeral service for Owen Mincks, 90, of Bella Vista and formerly of Westport, S.D., were Aug. 2, 2013, at First Assembly of God Church in Aberdeen. The Rev. Steve Schaible and the Rev. Nels Easterby officiated.
Owen Mincks, 90, went home to be with the Savior he loved and served faithfully on Sunday, July 28, 2013, at Highlands Rehab in Bella Vista.
He was the third of four children born to Myron and Mary Mincks on Feb. 24, 1923, during a blizzard. The doctor was not able to make it in time; nevertheless, his parents named him after the doctor, Owen King, who also delivered Owen's firstborn son, Terry Owen.
Owen was raised in the Westport area and graduated from high school there. He was a basketball star, and their team went to the state tournament. He played and was recruited by Northern State University to play on their team, but ended up going to North Central Bible College in Minneapolis for a time. He also boxed Golden Gloves and played baseball.
On March 31, 1946, Owen married Arlene Brown, who preceded him in death in 1982. To this union was born five children: Terry (Linda) Mincks of Tulsa, Okla.; Eldon (Nanci) Mincks of Bella Vista; Melba (Paul) Schauer of Parker, Colo.; Reeta (Bill) Chubb of Allen Park, Mich.; and Rebecca (Randy) Ellendorf of Mission, S.D. He made his living by farming near Westport.
In 1955, Owen felt God leading to minister among the Native Americans of South Dakota. He ministered on reservations for several years, and then pastored in Sisseton, S.D., at Dacotah Gospel Assembly. He was ordained as a minister with the Assemblies of God in 1961. At that time, he was asked to teach at Trinity Bible College, which he did for eight years, going out to the reservations on the weekends and during the summer. Following that, he taught at Ozark Bible Institute in Neosho, Mo., for seven years. In 1978, he was appointed president of Central Indian Bible College in Mobridge, S.D.
In 1988, he was joined in marriage to Lynette Woodbeck, and they continued to pastor in Sisseton, where she had been pastoring. Following that, they were appointed as the district coordinators of Native American Ministries, which they continued until 1999. During that time, they also pastored two outstations and taught at Central Indian Bible College. In 2004, they moved to the White River, S.D., area to help establish a new Native church. Owen was with the US Missions of the Assemblies of God.
In 2011, due to poor health, the Mincks moved to Bella Vista to be closer to family.
Owen was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Francis; and his sisters: Jenny and Iona. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Arlene, and his wife, Barbara, and a great-grandson, Ezra.
He is survived by his wife, Lynette; five children; 24 grandchildren; and 33 great-grandchildren.
Owen's life was a influence on so many people - his family, friends, those he taught and even those who cared for him. He was greatly loved by all who knew him.
If he were alive, he would say, "Don't be sad because I'm walking and free from pain in God's wonderful and exciting Heaven." He leaves word that he'll be looking for all of you when your time to join him comes. Please be ready for that final call, don't miss Heaven whatever you do!
The family requests in lieu of flowers that contributions be made to the South Dakota District Council of the Assemblies of God for Native American Biblical Studies.
Carlsen Funeral Home and Crematory of Aberdeen was entrusted with arrangements.
carlsenfh.com